Coronation Street treasure Liz Dawn has revealed she feels “lucky to be alive” after almost dying from a heart attack on holiday.

The star, who played Vera ­Duckworth for 34 years , had chest pains in Spain, and decided to see a doctor when she got home. But on the plane back she got much worse and needed to be saved with the jet’s emergency oxygen.

The 73-year-old, who has incurable lung disease emphysema, has now had a pacemaker fitted. But the operation six days ago was hit by a complication when one of her lungs was punctured.

Finally back home and recovering, she says: “When I look back I can’t believe it. I nearly died. I feel lucky to still be here able to talk about it all.”

Liz says: “I am determined to be there. That is one of the main things keeping me going. I miss him so much.

“If he had still been here he would have been the first one I would have picked up the phone and spoken to.”

(Image: ITV)

Earlier this year Liz, who sometimes uses a wheelchair, admitted her only plan for 2013 was to stay alive as she battled her lung condition, brought on by years of smoking. In May she flew to her holiday home in Spain with her husband, Donald. But it was while she was in Ronda on the Costa del Sol that she started to have the chest pains.

She also had trouble walking, her breathing was worse than usual and her legs swelled up. When Liz got on the flight home she was gasping for air.

She says: “I knew something was wrong but I tried to put it to the back of my mind on holiday and thought I would worry about it when I got home. But when I stepped on the plane, my God, it was awful. I felt breathless, weak and not in control of things.

“I couldn’t catch my breath at all and was getting more and more stressed. It was terrifying. My husband shouted for the cabin crew to bring oxygen and they had to give it to me there and then.”

But, typically with Liz, she recalls the emergency with humour.

She says: “I’ll never forget when my husband shouted for the oxygen. One of the stewards came over and said you had to book it in advance.

"My husband and I looked at each other in disbelief. I obviously didn’t know when I booked I’d be having a heart attack! As soon as I got the mask on I felt so much better.”

Liz returned to her flat in Leeds but eventually went to Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, where doctor Professor Ashley Woodcock said she had suffered a heart attack . She says: “I couldn’t believe it. To hear those words –it was so frightening. After all I have been through with my health I just thought ‘oh no, not something else’.

“It was ­frightening to think that it happened while I was on holiday and that I hadn’t even realised the severity of what was happening to me.” On Monday Liz had the pacemaker ­operation but she was too weak to be put to sleep. Moments after the surgery doctors noticed the pacemaker had punctured one of her lungs.

Medics had to stabilise Liz’s breathing while husband Don looked on. He says: “The doctors were brilliant. They explained the whole time what was happening. It is a common complication and I am just glad Liz is back home. She is a fighter.”

Liz adds: “I can’t speak highly enough of the doctors and nurses. I am just hoping this pacemaker will help get my health back on an even keel.

“I was talking to a 90-year-old who was in having a new one. She was 10 years on from having one the first time. I joked with her that I would be doing well if I am back in 10 years’ time.” Liz has been inundated with cards and flowers.

She says: “The good wishes are overwhelming. People still hold me in their hearts which means so much .” Now Liz is looking forward to next week’s dinner at Manchester’s Village Hotel to raise money for Brain Tumour Research. Bill raised thousands for the charity which he held close to his heart as his son Carl, 46, has the condition.

Liz and Don will be joined by Bill’s family and soap stars, including Nigel Pivaro, who played screen son Terry.

She says: “It will be wonderful to be among old friends for a brilliant cause. Bill spent so much time raising money so it is the least all of us can do to try and carry on his wonderful work. He was the kindest, warmest and most generous person I have ever known.”

To donate to Brain Tumour Research visit braintumourresearch.org/ bill-tarmey_7005